NUE: Elegantly Vietnamese — Restaurant in Falls Church

My family took me here for my birthday and I gotta tell you, I was thoroughly impressed. I usually don't like going to higher-end restaurants because the portions are usually small, the food isn't that good and you’re really paying for the artsy look of the food. With Nue, you get the whole package and the staff and owners are awesome. I’m sorry I didn’t take any pics but I was so immersed in the great food and experience, I forgot to take pics.

First, let's talk about the food. Since we had a large group, we were able to try a lot of dishes. We had the scallops with risotto, grilled seafood tower, fried whole fish, ribeye steak, pho pate, bò kho paparadelle, chilli oil wontons. Everything was great! My favorite was the seafood tower which had grilled lobster, grilled oysters, mussels, jumbo shrimp and the awesome Spanish octopus. If you have two people, you have to get this tower. It’s not your ordinary grilled seafood, best seafood mix I’ve ever had at a restaurant with each prepared in a unique way. The whole fish was also fantastic as they deboned it and it was crispy with a unique sauce, not the typical fish sauce. The scallops with risotto was also very good and unique.

The desserts were simple, refreshing and unique. We had the Yucca with ice cream and although we loved it, they were teasing us because they brought out the tropical che afterwards which was crazy good and refreshing, even better than the Yucca and ice cream.

Even the drinks were unique and great. We had the cà fe martini, and two others I can’t remember but all the drinks were unique like I’ve never had before. None were too sweet but mixed just right. The cà fe martini was made almost like with Vietnamese coffee so it wasn’t like your normal expresso martini.

As good and unique as the food was, the staff was even better. The energy, ambience and classy atmosphere all blended well. Normally, fancy restaurants are boring and yet this place had a good energy while maintaining class. I got to talk with one of the owners Tuyết Nhi and she was awesome! She explained how the food is made with the utmost care and consideration of quality and art. She was very genuine and really passionate with reinvigorating Vietnamese art and culture into the food they provide while adding a unique twist to the recipe. She also told us how they try to keep the food ingredients more healthy and will be adding additional healthy choices in the future. As a Vietnamese person, I can tell you, I’ve never had Vietnamese food like this and every dish was a pleasant surprise.

Overall, the food, the staff, the energy and the elegance made the experience well worth it. Thank you Nue, Tuyết, and the whole staff for a great unique and delicious experience. For once, I can say I’ve been to a higher-end restaurant and it...

Parking is easy to find. They have a free garage with plenty of spaces, and easy elevator access. My daughter is in a wheelchair and the garage and restaurant were easy to transport her back and forth. We dined in as a party of 9. We had 6 adults and 3 children. The staff was very warm and welcoming. We had the Grilled Oysters, Pho Pate, Seafood Cha Gio, Crab Asparagus Soup, 21 Day Aged Ribeye, Whole Fried Fluke, Coconut Curry Risotto, Short Ribs Parpadelle, Yucca cake with ice cream, and the Tropical parfait. The grilled oysters were really good, they came with a buttermilk vinegarette. Wish I had about 10 more of them. The pho Pate was really good too. I'm not usually a fan of any kind of liver, but this was amazing. I could eat it all day. You can taste all the spices in the pate, which make it super flavorful; loved that it came with the crispy cruller donuts. The seafood Cha Gio was better than most I've had. They actually use a tapioca shell which is the authentic way rather than the other shells they use at most restaurants. Makes it crisper. The crab asparagus soup was one of the tables favorites. They use hand pulled snow crab to make the soup. They also give you herbs and fried chillies on the side to put inside. Adds a nice flavorful crunch to the soup. Good amount of crab in it too. Loved they had quail eggs in the soup too. The whole fried Fluke was really good, I loved that they give you herbs, noodles, and lettuce to wrap your fish in and they give you a pineapple fish sauce vinaigrette to dip it in. Another one of the tables favorite was the coconut curry risotto. It can also be made vegan and gluten free. It's probably the best vegan dish we've ever encountered. It came with Okinawa sweet potatoes, organic fried Tofu, fried mushrooms and snow pea lentils. The organic fried Tofu in it was extra crispy, and not spongey like some places that cook fried Tofu. My husband really liked the fried mushroom on it which says a lot, because he actually hates mushrooms. The parpadelle was an interesting dish. It had the flavors of vietnamese beef stew, but with Italian innovation, made with parpadelle instead. Both desserts were soooo good. The yucca cake was super crispy on the outside, but almost like a moist mochi on the inside. The tropical parfait was their version of asago/tapioca pudding. It came with mango sorbet, diced up mango/pineapple, lychee. Very refreshing. Their drinks are also really good. Two of us tried the expresso martini and really enjoyed it. We almost ordered another one for dessert but we were too full. Service was excellent, everyone was so attentive including the managers who frequently checked on us. Will definitely be coming back with the family hopefully sooner than later. Wish I had more pictures to post, but ended up being too...

A Blend of Flavors and Ambiance, but a Hefty Price Tag: A Review of Nu.

Nestled in the heart of the Falls Chirch city, Nu offers an upscale dining experience that blends traditional Vietnamese flavors with a contemporary twist. On a recent visit, we decided to explore their red curry risotto with scallops and short rib pappardelle. The experience was pleasant overall, yet marred by a few aspects that left us with mixed feelings.

Upon stepping into Nu, we were immediately captivated by its chic and elegant decor. The ambiance exuded sophistication, setting the stage for an upscale evening. The dimmed lighting and attentive staff added to the sense of refinement and made us feel welcome.

The menu was a delightful blend of traditional Vietnamese dishes with a modern culinary approach, and our choices of red curry risotto with scallops and short rib pappardelle did not disappoint. The red curry risotto was a unique fusion, perfectly balancing the creaminess of risotto with the bold and aromatic flavors of red curry. The plump and succulent scallops added a touch of luxury, elevating the dish to new heights.

The short rib pappardelle was a comforting plate of handmade pasta coated in a rich, savory short rib ragù. The meat was tender and fell apart with each bite, showcasing the skillful execution of the chef. While both dishes were undeniably delicious, we found them to be slightly lacking in portion size for the price they commanded.

Speaking of prices, we were taken aback by the steep bill that awaited us at the end of the meal. Our two dishes, coupled with a few drinks and two small appetizers, amounted to a staggering $200, which we felt didn't justify the portion sizes and flavors, despite their undeniable quality. What further disappointed us was the inclusion of a 20% service charge on the bill, followed by a tip line on the receipt. It left us feeling obliged to tip even more, and this dual-pricing approach left a sour taste in our mouths.

Despite the pricing concerns, the restaurant's service was commendable. The staff was attentive, knowledgeable about the menu, and eager to assist with any dietary requirements. However, we couldn't shake off the feeling of being overcharged and the subsequent pressure to leave an additional tip.

In conclusion, Nu offers a fine dining experience with a delightful blend of Vietnamese flavors, delivering dishes that delight the taste buds. The elegant ambiance and attentive service add to the overall experience, making it a suitable option for special occasions or those seeking a sophisticated night out. However, the high prices, combined with the service charge and tip line, take away from the overall...